Week 9: The Value of Compliance
My first week at IBJ, I faced a to-do list that contained more than 50 policies, forms, and contracts that needed to be reviewed, revised, or even created from scratch. This week, my second-to-last week at IBJ, that to-do list has less than five items remaining. I am very excited to cross off these final tasks. Soon, IBJ will have a full HR manual, complete with all the policies and forms they need to be fully compliant with their donors' requirements.
At times, this work hasn't seemed very important. When funds are tight, shouldn't I spend time working on grant proposals? But the more I dig into these policies, the more I value the importance of the work. For years, IBJ has functioned without many of these policies in writing; but that has sometimes led to confusion and inefficiency. A non-profit, perhaps more than any other type of organization, needs to be efficient to succeed. With these policies now in place, I hope that my work allows IBJ to work more efficiently, and thus more effectively, towards its goals.
I gained a detailed understanding of IBJ and how it functions during my time researching and writing these various policies. What I discovered was a dedicated team of professionals who love their work, are passionate about what they do, and -- above all -- believe wholeheartedly in IBJ's mission. With the policies in place to efficiently channel this positive energy, I know IBJ can continue to do amazing things for the communities they serve.